Students from Merrick Avenue and Grand Avenue Middle Schools faced off against Wisdom Lane and Salk from Levittown School District on April 4 in a Super Smash Bros. tournament.

Each school held its own individual tournament to determine its top eight players, and this competition was to determine the best of the best.

It was a clean sweep, with the GAMS Grizzlies and MAMS Rams clinching all four top spots.

Emilio Pico from Grand Avenue took first place, with Kingston Lambre from Grand Avenue, Matias Cabrera Mariscal from Grand Avenue and Michael Schmerfrom Merrick Avenue taking second through fourth. Mr. Ng leads Grand Avenue’s Esports Team, while Merrick Avenue’s team is led by Mr. Stiglitz.

Esports started at John F. Kennedy High School and Merrick Avenue Middle School during COVID as a way to keep students engaged in the school community. Now these programs are flourishing in all school buildings.

Today, all five schools in the Central High School District have their own esports clubs and compete both in person and online in their respective leagues.

“Students participating in esports learn valuable skills like those on the basketball court or lacrosse field,” noted David Prince, the math chairperson for both MAMS and Kennedy High School. “They learn problem-solving, critical thinking, strategy, and quick reactions, and they always practice good sportsmanship while representing their schools. All that time playing video games is well spent—talented players can become professional gamers, earning sponsorships, prize money, and even scholarships to top universities.”

Looking ahead, Kennedy plans to debut its esports lab, featuring six top-of-the-line gaming computers for students to play on.

“After winning a grant from AMD Processors and Generation Esports, the Esports Lab will make JFK one of the premier Esports schools on Long Island,” Prince added.

Last year, Merrick Avenue eighthgraders Derek Lee, Joseph Poplardo, Matt Kearney and Adam Swerdloff finished out an undefeated season in the Generation Esports National Tournament for Splatoon 3, taking the title of Atlantic LeagueChampions.

Across the district, as more and more students get involved each year, the number of teams and games played continues to grow.

Click here to view the Middle School Esports Teams Face Off in Digital Showdown 2024-2025 slideshow.

Date Added: 4/8/2025